Those who leave Russia can be divided into four categories.
Author: Andrei Kolesnik (former Navy Special Forces member, State Duma MP)
February 15, 2023, 15:55 - Opinion
Russian citizens standing united in the face of the current trials their country is experiencing is a key condition for our future victory. For this reason, we should not abandon those who have left.
The word "relokants" has become one of the new terms of our era. Many of us have heard or seen stories on social media about those who left Russia after February or September 2022. I know such stories and personally know some of those who left the country.
However, generalizing can sometimes hinder our understanding of what is happening to our compatriots and our nation. The term "relokants" confuses several completely different phenomena. Indeed, all these people left Russia, but beyond that, they are very different from each other.
We must take these differences into account to precisely understand how to treat these people and ultimately decide what to do with them.
So, who exactly are these people, and what makes them different? In fact, they can be divided into several categories.
First category. Those who did not leave the country voluntarily. For example, following loved ones or parents due to family reasons, or leaving for work (such as working for a foreign company that left Russia). I am certain that many of them hope to return to their homeland as soon as possible.
Such individuals deserve our sympathy and a desire to help them. Neither the Russian state nor society should blame them. Moreover, these people have every opportunity abroad to help their homeland, and many indeed provide assistance. For instance, by debunking rumors about "angry Russians." They receive education, maintain contact between Russia and the outside world, and we have never rejected such connections. Typically, even abroad, they directly work for their country, contributing to its prosperity and well-being.
Second category. Those influenced by emotions and impulses. Heeding unreasonable calls. Abandoning their homeland due to fantasies and delusions like "everything is over" or "what will happen tomorrow," or "just in case," and hastily leaving. It can be directly said that they exhibit temporary weakness and cowardice.
I personally know such individuals. Many of them call me, sharing their feelings. Some have woken up and returned home. Some have even volunteered to fight in the special military operation zone.
For these people — those who have not yet returned — more help is needed. Efforts should be made to bring them back. Show them the real situation in Russia. Debunk rumors about "empty store shelves" and "totalitarian rule." Show them that our country is the most suitable place in the world for happy living, raising children, and creating the future. Explain why Russia is fighting today, the goals of the special military operation, what triggered it, and how it will end.
In my observation, 90% of those who left belong to these first two categories. Many of them want to return but don't know how or lack the courage to do so. Many are hindered by false pride and unnecessary shame. I believe that our compatriots will eventually wake up and return to Russia. Only I hope it's not too late for them.
But there are also others whose nature is entirely different. They are definitely a minority, but they make the most noise and thus attract the most attention. Only they truly deserve to be called — traitors.
These individuals have been infected with an anti-Russian virus. They begin to hate the country of their birth, curse it, and wish to forget it. They defame Russia on social networks, mock our soldiers, and refer to compatriots as "country bumpkins" and "aggressors."
In my view, such people deserve only our contempt. They have lost one of the most sacred human emotions — love for their country and a sense of belonging. They wish for Russia's military and political failure, even its disintegration. How can such behavior be forgiven? Of course, God will judge them, but apart from that, the Russian Criminal Code and its corresponding articles (such as the clause regarding defamation of the armed forces) will also punish them.
Only repentance can help them. I hope they themselves consider how to atone for their sins before their country and people in this situation.
But what personally disgusts me the most is the smallest group of people — the fourth category. These individuals actively side with the enemy. Not only do they curse Russia verbally, but they also assist Russia's enemies. Working for the enemy, funding the enemy, providing material support, and strengthening the enemy's power. Some even fight directly for the enemy. Unfortunately, there are Russian citizens holding weapons against Russian armed forces on the battlefield. Although few in number, they do exist.
Because they have fully sided with the enemy, they themselves become the enemy. Such individuals, like anyone who dares to pick up arms against Russian soldiers, should be eliminated — directly on the battlefield. As a soldier, I see no other solution.
In any conflict, nothing is more dangerous than internal divisions. Civil war is far more perilous than battling external enemies. Russian citizens standing united in the face of the current trials their country is experiencing is a key condition for our future victory. For this reason, we should not abandon those who have left. But on the condition that they themselves do not abandon us.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7499781259724587561/
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